Emergency Transport Billing

Board Approves Ordinance

On January 15, 2014, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors voted to approve a new Chapter of the Codified Ordinances as drafted, with the amendments set forth in the item, to establish the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Transport Reimbursement Program. The item prepared for the meeting is online:

The Board directed that Loudoun's fee structure be based on the current market but no higher than 10% over the highest comparable neighboring jurisdiction. The fees are: $467 for Basic Life Support, $660 for Advanced Life Support I and $770 for Advanced Life Support II. If you are transported by ambulance to the hospital, your insurance company, Medicare or Medicaid will be billed first. The focus of the reimbursement program is insurance companies, not private citizens.

The funds received from the program will be directed back to the Fire-Rescue system to include volunteer companies. The money will pay for training, equipment, specialty apparatus, and support personnel.

Board Public Hearing Held

The Board of Supervisors held a public hearing on Wednesday, December 11, 2013, on the proposed ordinance to establish an EMS Transport Reimbursement Program. The item prepared for the public hearing is online:

On October 8, 2013, the Board of Supervisors' Finance/Government Services and Operations Committee voted to recommend that the Board of Supervisors direct staff to advertise for a public hearing on December 11, 2013, on the proposed ordinance to establish an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Transport Reimbursement Program. The item considered by the committee is online:

Background

On July 17, 2013, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors directed staff to prepare an ordinance to allow for implementation of fees for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Transport. The move came following the hiring of a consultant to review best practices and make recommendations for implementation of a reimbursement program.

The item prepared for the July 17 meeting, which includes the consultant's recommendations, is online as is the Copy Teste, a brief description of the Board's action on the item.

All other jurisdictions in the Greater Washington D.C. area charge fees for EMS service.

Fee Structure

The Board directed that Loudoun's fee structure be based on the current market but no higher than 10% over the highest comparable neighboring jurisdiction. The proposed fees were: $467 for Basic Life Support, $660 for Advanced Life Support I and $770 for Advanced Life Support II. The focus of the reimbursement program is insurance companies, not private citizens.

Revenue Sharing

The Board also directed that the reimbursement system include a revenue sharing component among the Fire / EMS participants, so that the fire and rescue companies that provide the ambulance service will receive the majority of the fee involved.

Same Quality

Implementation of an EMS Transport Reimbursement Program has no impact on the emergency medical services provided to Loudoun County residents and visitors. Emergency medical services will continue to be provided at the same high quality with no person ever being denied service.